MLB News

Worth noting

• Right-hander Ryan Cook (shoulder) threw long toss from 105 feet on Wednesday and said he could be back on the mound throwing his first bullpen of the spring as early as the end of next week.

• With the club's first full-squad workout planned for Thursday, A's pitchers will begin throwing live batting practice at Papago Park. Jarrod Parker, Tommy Milone and Dan Straily are among those scheduled to take their turn on Thursday.

• Right-hander Ryan Cook (shoulder) threw long toss from 105 feet on Wednesday and said he could be back on the mound throwing his first bullpen of the spring as early as the end of next week.

• With the club's first full-squad workout planned for Thursday, A's pitchers will begin throwing live batting practice at Papago Park. Jarrod Parker, Tommy Milone and Dan Straily are among those scheduled to take their turn on Thursday.

• Melvin on Wednesday was putting the final touches of his annual rah-rah speech he'll give to his team on Thursday morning.

"I'm working on it," he said, smiling. "It's as close as I'm gonna get at this point. I probably am going to repeat myself to an extent. Some of the issues I thought we needed to be more aware of going into last season will be prevalent again. There will be some redundancy, but I've got a few new tricks."

• New A's pitcher Joe Savery, who threw his first bullpen in front of his new employers Wednesday, will wear No. 50, Grant Balfour's old number.